Santa Barbara County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Campus Point, Santa Barbara County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Steady 3-4ft waves on offer on W swell at 10s — gentle S breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 7mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Consistent 3-4ft surf through the day on W swell at 7s with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 7mph.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on WSW swell at 10s and gentle ENE breeze. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 7mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 23s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle ESE breeze.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 22s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with calm winds.
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Campus Point is a classic west-facing point break that wraps around the UCSB campus area, offering long, peeling waves that peel across sandy bottoms. The break works best with westerly swells and easterly offshore winds, creating smooth, well-organized waves ideal for intermediate surfers looking to practice their turns. The point's orientation and proximity to kelp beds adds character to this scenic Santa Barbara County break that captures swell during fall and winter months.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Campus Point is 3-4ft with a 9.8s swell period. Wind is S at 2mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Campus Point is 3-4ft, produced by a 2.1ft W primary swell at 10s, a 0.7ft SSW secondary swell at 15s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Campus Point is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 12.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Campus Point works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Campus Point. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Campus Point is a point with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Campus Point is a classic west-facing point break that wraps around the UCSB campus area, offering long, peeling waves that peel across sandy bottoms. The break works best with westerly swells and easterly offshore winds, creating smooth, well-organized waves ideal for intermediate surfers looking to practice their turns. The point's orientation and proximity to kelp beds adds character to this scenic Santa Barbara County break that captures swell during fall and winter months.
The prime season at Campus Point is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Campus Point include kelp, occasional localism, rocky point sections. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Campus Point forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
